The points can be redeemed for rewards, including "tickets to wine events, exclusive sweepstakes
entries, and wine accessories and gadgets," said Ashley McDonald, a spokeswoman for the Ohio
Agriculture Department, which is helping to coordinate the program.

It's the
latest state program to encourage local patronage of wineries. Ohio's nearly
200 wineries produce more than 1 million gallons of wine each year, generating an economic impact
of more than $580 million and employing 4,100 people, according to the agriculture department.

The state's wine industry has grown over the last decade, partly with help from the
Ohio Grape Industries Committee, which
uses a portion of the state's wine excise tax to provide marketing, research and production
services to vineyards and wineries.

The state agriculture department chairs the industries committee, helping to promote efforts to
create and expand markets for Ohio grapes and grape products.

Last year, Gov. John Kasich and the Ohio legislature designated June as
Ohio Wine
Month.